From Market to Market: Cool Grocery Stores from Around the Country

In recent years the supermarket has gone the way of the restaurant. Cooler, hipper, and way more fun. Gone is the muzak, the stale smell, and the cookie-cutter look. It's all been replaced with open kitchens, homemade ice cream, and drive-thru service. Check out these cool grocers from across the U.S. What are some of the weirdest new supermarket trends? "Supermarket Guru" Phil Lempert talks about the weirdest foods you must try.

Bi-Rite, San Francisco, CA

Bi-Rite, San Francisco, CA

Sustainable and artisanal offerings are at the core of Bi-Rite's business. Their apples, tomatoes, peppers, figs, cucumbers, eggplants, are just a few of the vegetables and fruits they harvest from their own farms in Sonoma and Placerville, CA. The homegrown produce is not just displayed on the shelves, but also featured in the prepared foods that come out of the store's open kitchen. "We put out hot foods every night," says Kirsten Bourne, "that are better than what you can find at most San Francisco restaurants."

Not to be missed: Bi-Rite's creamery across the street which sells irresistible small batch artisanal ice creams.

Mitsuwa, Chicago, IL, California, and New Jersey

Mitsuwa, Chicago, IL, California, and New Jersey

Mitsuwa is more than just a Japanese grocery store. It's a Godzilla-sized department store where Japanophiles can find everything from fermented soy beans to sushi-grade fish to a travel agent to book that next trip to Osaka. In addition to the various specialty food products and services the mall-like depot houses multiple restaurants serving up delicacies and Japanified American classics like Gabutto Burger's teriyaki slider wedged between two rice patties.

Not to be missed: Re Leaf. Sort of the Japanese version of Starbucks serving lattes, espressos, and soft serve ice cream all featuring the key ingredient: green tea.